It was announced roughly one month ago that ‘HR Ottawa, LP,’ comprised of Hard Rock International and Rideau Carleton Raceway, had been selected to transform the harness raceway into Hard Rock Casino Ottawa. A multimillion-dollar investment has been proposed for the track, and area horsepeople are happy.

In its release announcing the deal, Hard Rock stated that HR Ottawa LP plans to ‘potentially invest more than $320 million during a multi-phase construction process to ultimately create an electrifying, integrated entertainment destination incorporating thrilling nightlife, world-class gaming, decadent cuisine and the heart of the Hard Rock brand, music.’

"We are delighted to bring the iconic Hard Rock International casino operator to Ottawa," Rideau Carleton Raceway Director Andrew Wright said. "Rideau Carleton Raceway has partnered with Hard Rock to build a major tourist destination that will offer multi-level entertainment, energized horse racing, a broader market and substantial economic benefits for all of our employees, patrons, and the Ottawa community."

“This is a good thing in general,” Vankleek Hill, Ont. horseman Garny Stephens has said. “The purse structure will be bigger. That draws more people, more horses and I’ll have a greater variety of horses to buy and sell.”

Stephens’ comments have come via an article on the situation by The Review.

“This is very good for Ontario’s horse industry,” reiterated Stephens. “I’m looking forward to buying and selling more horses. And it’s good for everyone involved in the horse world.”

(With files from The Review)